1945 Texas hurricane

{{Storm path|1945 Atlantic hurricane 5 track.png}}

Towards the end of August 1945, an area of squally weather persisted in the Bay of Campeche, near the Gulf Coast of Mexico. After a prolonged period of marginal development, the cluster of thunderstorms began to quickly organize beginning on August 24.{{cite journal|last=Sumner|first=H.C.|author2=United States Weather Bureau|title=North Atlantic Hurricanes and Tropical Distruabnces of 1945|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=March 5, 1946|volume=74|issue=1|pages=1–5|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0001:MACDFJ>2.0.CO;2|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1945.pdf|access-date=March 26, 2013|publisher=American Meteorological Society|location=Washington, D.C.|bibcode = 1946MWRv...74....1. |doi-access=free}} According to HURDAT – the official database listing positions and intensities of Atlantic tropical cyclones dating back to 1851 – the disturbance became sufficiently organized to be classified as a tropical storm by 0000 UTC on August 24. At the time, the storm already maintained maximum sustained winds of {{convert|45|mi/h|km/h|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}. Initially, the tropical storm moved generally northward at approximately {{convert|18|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, but gradually slowed as it neared the United States Gulf Coast. Quickly developing past tropical cyclogenesis, the system reached the equivalent of a modern-day Category 1 hurricane at 0600 UTC on August 25.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Its forward motion continued to slow until it moved nearly stationary at roughly {{convert|5|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, which allowed the system to remain a tropical cyclone for an extended period of time, despite its proximity to the coast. The hurricane's intensity continued to quickly increase, and by 1200 UTC on August 26, the storm had attained major hurricane status, the equivalent of a modern-day Category 3 hurricane.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

The hurricane executed a slight curve to the northeast later that day, causing it to move inland over the Texas coast.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Initially, the major hurricane was analyzed to have made landfall early on August 27 over Port Aransas with winds of {{convert|140|mi/h|km/h|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}, equivalent to a modern-day Category 4 hurricane.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} However, a reanalysis was conducted on the system, and concluded that it had only attained Category 3 intensity before making landfall at 1200 UTC that day. The reanalysis moved the landfall point closer to Seadrift as well.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} At the time, the storm had maximum sustained winds confined within an area about {{convert|10|mi|km|sigfig=2|lk=on}} from the hurricane's center. The reanalysis also concluded that the storm contained a minimum central pressure of {{convert|963|mb|inHg|sigfig=4|lk=on}} at landfall.{{cite journal|last=Hagen|first=Andrew B.|author2=Strahan-Sakoskie, Donna|author3= Luckett, Christopher|title=A Reanalysis of the 1944–53 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons—The First Decade of Aircraft Reconnaissance|journal=Journal of Climate|date=1 July 2012|volume=25|issue=13|pages=4441–4460|doi=10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00419.1|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/1944-1953_Published_Paper.pdf|access-date=March 27, 2013|publisher=American Meteorological Society|location=Miami, Florida|bibcode = 2012JCli...25.4441H |s2cid=129284686 }} Once inland, the hurricane slowly weakened, but maintained hurricane intensity until 1200 UTC on August 28. After further weakening to a tropical depression by 0000 UTC the next day, the disturbance dissipated over the Texas interior at 1800 UTC on August 29.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

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File:1945 Texas hurricane rainfall totals.png

Upon classification as a hurricane by the former United States Weather Bureau (USWB) on August 25, a hurricane warning was issued for coastal areas between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas, and between Galveston, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. At the time, the storm was forecast to make landfall between Port O'Connor and Freeport, Texas.{{cite news|title=Tropic Hurricane Near Texas Coast|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JI8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GVUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3562,153239&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 27, 2013|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=August 25, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=New Orleans, Louisiana|page=1}} However, all small craft offshore from the mouth of the Rio Grande and Burrwood, Louisiana were warned to remain in port or return to the coast. All other shipping in the western Gulf of Mexico were advised to exercise extreme caution.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Down South|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UB0_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jU8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5869,3259370&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 27, 2013|newspaper=The Windsor Daily Star|date=August 25, 1945|location=New Orleans, Louisiana|page=4}} Despite having just formed, forecasters already suggested that it would be potentially the most destructive storm of the hurricane season thus far.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Headed For U.S. Gulf Coast|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S50gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OmgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5280,3448757&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 27, 2013|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=August 24, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=New Orleans, Louisiana|page=1}} As a result of the storm's intensity and repeated warnings, thousands evacuated potentially affected coastal regions.{{cite book|title=Texas Hurricane History|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/txhur.pdf|publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service|access-date=March 28, 2013|author=Roth, David M|author2=Weather Prediction Center}} In Freeport, Texas, 20,000 people evacuated. Mustang Island was fully evacuated prior to the storm impacting land.{{cite news|title=110-M.P.H. Tropic Hurricane Moves Inland Over Texas|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gvE6AAAAIBAJ&sjid=fyoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5157,8768747&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Daily Star|date=August 27, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Corpus Christi, Texas|page=2}} Throughout the hurricane's early developmental stages, reconnaissance flights were periodically made into the storm to gather data.{{cite news|title=Storm In Gulf Causes Heavy Rains In City|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QF9PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w04DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7139,3230835&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 27, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=August 25, 1945|page=Section 2, Page 11}}

Though situated on the opposite side of the Gulf of Mexico as Florida, tropical moisture extending from the hurricane caused torrential rainfall in the state. In St. Petersburg, the heavy rains set a 30-year record and flooded low-lying areas. Inundated streets blocked traffic and delayed transit bus routes. In Booker and Salt Creeks, the floodwaters backed up sewage systems. Though there were no deaths as a result of the floods, two people were rescued by police after their house was surrounded by water. Telecommunications in the Tampa Bay Area were delayed for up to two hours due to damage sustained to communication lines as a result of the rains. Despite its nearby proximity, effects in Tampa, Florida were much less severe, with only small showers and gusts never exceeding {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.

Upon making landfall on the Texas coast late on August 27, the hurricane caused a wide swath of destruction, and was considered one of the worst hurricanes to impact the state in at least 25 years. A {{convert|400|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} wide swath of land experienced moderate to severe impacts during the storm.{{cite news|title=Rains Flood Houston But Hurricane Abates|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jQ1iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6273,5159576&dq=texas&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|date=August 28, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=1}} Strong winds were reported in various locations, with a peak gust of {{convert|135|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} measured in Collegeport, Texas. At a weather station in Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, a wind gust of {{convert|101|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was measured. Across Corpus Christi, the strong winds knocked down communication and power lines, causing widespread power outages. Thus, all local radio stations were off air for a period of time. However, power was quickly restored within an hour after cutoff. Winds within the city peaked at {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Damage in the city was estimated to be below $100,000.{{cite news|title=Violent Hurricane Moves Slowly Along Coast of Texas|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YjFkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fIoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2395,2073068&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=The Free-Lance Star|date=August 27, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Corpus Christi, Texas|page=1}} Further south in Port Isabel, Texas, winds peaked at {{convert|76|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. However, in nearby Brownsville, Texas, damage associated with the hurricane.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Hits 200-Mile Coastal Area In Texas; Center At Corpus Christi|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IY5hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w04DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5946,3775623&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=August 27, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Corpus Christi, Texas|page=1}} In El Campo, Texas, strong winds blew the roof off of a local hospital. Thus, 30 patients were evacuated to hospitals in Wharton, Texas. Power in Wharton was temporarily knocked out for a short time.{{cite news|title=Hurricane's Strength Diminishes|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Jo8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GVUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1346,397182&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=August 28, 1945|author=Barnard, William C.|agency=Associated Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=1}} As the storm progressed further inland, additional damage was reported. In Bay City, Texas, gusts uprooted trees and scattered debris over the city streets. Heavy rains there inundated roads under as much as {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=on}} of water. As a result, only one highway remained open. In Rockport, Texas, additional homes were unroofed, with damages estimated at $500,000.{{cite news|title=Texas Town Being Torn Asunder by Hurricane|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8xsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZIYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2009,5439968&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=Schenectady Gazette|date=August 27, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=1}} Offshore, the hurricane produced strong waves which caused coastal impacts. In Port Aransas, Texas, waves inundated roads to a depth of {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The strong waves later separated the port from the mainland, and destroyed or damage all buildings and structures there, causing an estimated $750,000 in damage there. Power in Port Aransas was disrupted during the night of August 27. At Aransas Pass, surf was as high as automotive running boards. At Port Lavaca, Texas, the tide rose up to {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal, inundating the coastal city and forcing the coastline to retreat {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} from its initial position. At the time, the measured storm surge was only the third highest recorded in Texas history, behind peak measurements taken during the 1900 Galveston hurricane and 1919 Florida Keys hurricane.{{cite web|title=Some Maximum Storm Surge Records For Texas Storms|url=http://www.wxresearch.com/surge.htm|publisher=Weather Research Center|access-date=March 28, 2013|location=Houston, Texas|date=January 6, 2007|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819000944/http://www.wxresearch.com/surge.htm|url-status=dead}} Damage estimates for Port Lavaca ranged from $750,000–$1 million.{{cite news|title=Storm Isolates Eastern Texas|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rl9PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w04DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2806,3930464&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=August 29, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Houston, Texas|pages=1–2}} Offshore of Port Isabel, the strong waves capsized a fishing vessel, killing all two of its crew members.

The hurricane's slow movement parallel to the Texas coast resulted in torrential rainfall, peaking at {{convert|19.6|in|mm|abbr=on}} near Hockley over a period of a little over three days.{{cite web|title=Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes (And Other Tropical Disturbances)|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/1956NHRPreportNo3.pdf|publisher=United States Weather Bureau's National Hurricane Research Project|access-date=March 28, 2013|author=Schoner, R.W.|author2=Molansky, S.|page=28}} The excessive precipitation helped increase monthly rainfall amounts in the region to three times above average.{{cite journal|last=Jordan|first=C. R.|title=River Stages And Floods For August 1945|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=August 1, 1945|volume=73|issue=8|pages=140|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1945)073<0140:RSAFFA>2.0.CO;2|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/073/mwr-073-08-0140a.pdf|access-date=March 28, 2013|publisher=American Meteorological Society|location=Miami, Florida|bibcode = 1945MWRv...73..140J |doi-access=free}} Cotton and rice crops were badly damaged during the storm. The American Crop Growers Association estimated that up to 20% of the rice crop was lost during the stom. Damage to unpicked cotton in the Corpus Christi area alone totaled to $1,500,000. In Houston, the heavy rains halted traffic and increased flood risk to property near the city's bayous. Precipitation in the city peaked at {{convert|15.65|in|mm|abbr=on}} in a 24-hour period. However, the Barker Dam prevented a large scale flooding event in the city.{{cite news|title=8 Known Dead In Texas Gulf Hurricane|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kdhFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uL0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4833,1702820&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=8 Known Dead in Texas Gulf Hurricane|date=August 29, 1945|agency=United Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=5}} A gust of {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} collapsed a suburban residence, killing the occupant inside. Approximately {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Houston, an F3 tornado formed and traversed for {{convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on}} across the northern suburbs of the city, killing a person and causing 15 injuries.{{cite journal|last=Baldwin|first=J.L.|title=Preliminary Report Of Tornadoes In The United States During 1945|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=December 1, 1945|volume=73|issue=12|pages=207–210|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1945)073<0210:PROTIT>2.0.CO;2|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/073/mwr-073-12-0207.pdf|access-date=March 28, 2013|publisher=American Meteorological Society|location=Washington, D.C.|bibcode = 1945MWRv...73..207B |doi-access=free}} The tornado also had a path width of {{convert|75|yd|m|abbr=on}}, and damage to property was estimated at $35,000.{{cite journal|last=Souder|first=Mary O.|title=Severe Local Storms For August 1945|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=August 1, 1945|volume=73|issue=8|pages=145–146|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1945)073<0145:SLSFA>2.0.CO;2|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/073/mwr-073-08-0145.pdf|access-date=March 28, 2013|publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode = 1945MWRv...73..145. |doi-access=free}} Heavy rainfall from the storm was reported as far west as San Antonio, Texas.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Hits Coast Of Texas; Wind At 110 MPH|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TJ0gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OmgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2213,3548901&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=August 26, 1945|author=Keys, William E.|agency=Associated Press|location=Corpus Christi, Texas|pages=1, 8}} Overall, the hurricane caused $20.1 million in damages, with $14 million attributable to agricultural losses, $5.883 million to infrastructural damage, and $250,000 to cattle and poultry losses. Despite the large swath of devastation, only three people were killed due to the extensive precautionary measures taken before the storm.

After the hurricane passed, the American Red Cross and other relief agencies began to survey damage and assist in repair and rehabilitation activities. Red Cross personnel in the central coastal area assisted 15,000 refugees with food and care necessities. Robert Edison, then-director of the Midwest sector of the agency, requested {{convert|5000000|ft|m|abbr=on}} of lumber and 52 tons (47 tonnes) of steel.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Damage Runs Into Millions|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EiciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CKQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1194,5091122&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=San Jose News|date=August 29, 1945|author=Alexander, John D.|agency=United Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=18}} The Salvation Army, stationed in Houston, issued an appeal for clothing materials. State health department and agency crews were dispatched to check water and other sanitation facilities.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Damage May Hit $15,000,000 Mark|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J48LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GVUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3596,624749&dq=hurricane&hl=en|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=August 29, 1945|agency=Associated Press|location=Houston, Texas|page=13}}

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• List of Texas hurricanes (1900–49)
• 1949 Texas hurricane
• 1932 Freeport hurricane

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Category:1945 natural disasters in the United States

Texas

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Category:August 1945 in the United States